Mahadayi issue: CM insists on affidavit from Goa

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Dec 24 2017: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has dismissed the claim of state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa that Karnataka can seek interim relief from the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal on the basis of the Goa chief minister’s letter to him (Yeddyurappa).

"The Tribunal will not admit the letter as a document. It is bereft of any commitment from Goa. If Yeddyurappa is really keen on resolution of the dispute, he should ask Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to file an affidavit before the Tribunal expressing Goa’s willingness to part with 7.5 tmcft of Mahadayi water to meet drinking water needs of North Karnataka. The affidavit should be filed before the Tribunal starts its final hearing in February," the chief minister said.

He was speaking to reporters after laying foundation stone for various development works in Hubballi-Dharwad East Assembly constituency on Sunday.

On Saturday, Yeddyurappa had stated that according to legal experts Karnataka can get an interim relief from the Tribunal if a fresh application is filed on the basis of Parrikar’s letter to him. Parrikar had written to Yeddyurappa expressing his intent to resolve the Mahadayi water sharing dispute through an amicable settlement.

Accusing the BJP of "enacting a big drama" over Mahadayi issue, the chief minister said that in inter-state matters, a chief minister should write to his counterpart. "Without making it a prestige issue, I wrote to Parrikar saying that I am ready for talks. But, instead of replying to my letter, Parrikar issued a statement that he was not ready for any talk until the Assembly elections are over in Karnataka and Yeddyurappa becomes the chief minister. But, Yeddyurappa will never become the chief minister again," he said.

Meanwhile, addressing a press meet in Haveri, Yeddyurappa said that the Mahadayi activists who have been staging a protest in front of the BJP office in Bengaluru, should vacate the place immediately and hold a dharna in front of the chief minister’s residence.

He said that he had made honest efforts for resolving the Mahadayi issue. "But, chief minister Siddaramaiah and AICC president Rahul Gandhi have scuttled my attempts through a statement they got issued from Goa Congress president," he claimed.